Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that ACE Collections on Sept. 13 deployed a secure digital payment option for trade users to pay bills online through a new Pay.gov form (CBP Bill Payments).

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN specialized agency for global postal cooperation, has started deploying a solution to help postal operators resume delivery to the U.S. after postal traffic to the country dipped more than 80% following its suspension of the duty-free de minimis exemption, effective Aug. 29.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Friday, Sept. 12, published an updated list of qualified parties who are eligible to pay duties on international mail shipments, as per Executive Order 14324 of July 30, “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries,” which took effect Aug. 29. The Executive Order effectively ended de minimis duty-free treatment under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C) for all shipments entering the U.S., including via international mail.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Sept. 3 announced an update to the Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) – Appendix X — HTS Codes for PGAs – Master DEA Drug Code HTS Schedule B Reference Table: Excel has been posted to the CBP website.

President Trump on Sept. 3 informed the Senate of his intent to nominate Laura DiBella and Robert Harvey, both of Florida, to become Federal Maritime Commissioners.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Area Port of Blaine, Washington, released a Trade Information Notice (TIN) on Sept. 3 to clarify the use of the correct procedures for use of the quantity data value in the ACE Cargo Release for Record Identifier SE15. “Incorrect use of the quantity data value can keep a bill of lading from fully clearing in ACE and prevent timely release of the shipment,” the agency said.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Port of Philadelphia on Sept. 5 announced that it has received a request to modify the East Coast Warehouse Container Examination Station (CES) Fee Schedule in accordance with19 C.F.R. 118.5 and is inviting comments from trade for a period of 30 days.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a Federal Register notice to be published on Monday, Sept. 8, includes two amendments to the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA).

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a final rule to remove entities from the Validated End-User (VEU) authorization list for China.

Through a Federal Register Notice released for public inspection on Aug. 28, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a major policy shift, easing certain export control requirements under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) for shipments to Syria. This change, which will take effect Sept. 2, follows the Treasury Department’s sanctions relief issued previously this year and creates new opportunities for authorized exports, but it also carries important compliance considerations for freight forwarders.